Modelling of molten salt electrolytes

For the simulation of liquid metal batteries, a perfectly mixed electrolyte is assumed usually. Corresponding molten salts contain ions whose movement is determined by convection, diffusion and migration. Without fluid flow, large concentration gradients and thus high losses would occur, which reduce the cell voltage of a battery.

Identifying the prevalent type of convection is subject of current research. Possible mechanisms are:

Further, interfacial instabilities (thermal, solutal and electrocapillary Marangoni instability) and magnetically induced flows (Tayler instability and electro-vortex flow) influence the flow in the electrolyte.

Within the SOLSTICE project it is investigated which of the above-mentioned phenomena primarily occur in a two-layered electrolyte whose layers are separated with a diaphragm and thus prevented from direct mixing. Additionally, it is important to assess the magnitude that those flows could reach.

  

Publications

  • Duczek, C.; Weber, N.; Nash, W.; Sarma, M.; Weier, T.
    Solutal convection in Na–Zn liquid metal batteries and its impact on self-discharge
    Physics of Fluids 37(2025) 023370
  • Duczek, C.; Horstmann, G. M.; Ding, W.; Einarsrud, K. E.; Gelfgat, A. Y.; Godinez-Brizuela, O. E.; Kjos, O. S.; Landgraf, S.; Lappan, T.; Monrrabal, G.; Nash, W.; Personnettaz, P.; Sarma, M.; Sommerseth, C.; Trtik, P.; Weber, N.; Weier, T.
    Fluid mechanics of Na-Zn liquid metal batteries
    Applied Physics Reviews 11(2024), 041326
  • Godinez-Brizuela, O. E.; Duczek, C., Weber, N.; Nash, W.; Sarma, M.; Einarsrud, K. E.
    A continuous multiphase model for liquid metal batteries
    Journal of Energy Storage 73(2023) 109147
  • Duczek, C.; Weber, N.; Godinez-Brizuela, O.E.; Weier, T.
    Simulation of potential and species distribution in a Li||Bi liquid metal battery using coupled meshes
    Electrochimica Acta 437(2023) 141413